Congees
Jujube & Bamboo & Rush Congee (Zao Zhu Deng Xin Cao Zhou)
Jujube & Bamboo & Rush Congee is a classic calming medicinal porridge rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine dietary therapy. This formula combines Ziziphi Spinosae Semen to nourish the heart and calm the mind, Polygonatum odoratum to nourish yin and generate fluids, Juncus effusus to clear heart fire, and glutinous rice to nourish yin and boost qi. Together, they achieve the effects of nourishing yin, clearing fire, calming the mind, and relieving irritability. The congee is thick and smooth, with the sweetness of rock sugar complementing the rich aroma of glutinous rice. It is especially suitable for those with irritability, insomnia, five-heart heat, and yin deficiency with internal heat.
Main Ingredients
- Glutinous rice 200g
- Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (Suan Zao Ren) 20g
- Polygonatum odoratum (Yu Zhu) 20g
- Juncus effusus (Deng Xin Cao) 6g
- Rock sugar to taste
Steps
Rinse 20g of Suan Zao Ren, 20g of Yu Zhu, and 6g of Deng Xin Cao separately. Place the rinsed herbs together in a clean gauze bag and tie securely. Note: The herbs are not meant to be eaten directly; they must be wrapped and removed after cooking. Rinse 200g of glutinous rice and drain.
Place the gauze bag and rinsed rice in a clay pot or regular pot, add enough water (approx. 1500-2000ml). Boil over high heat for about 1 hour, then reduce to low heat and continue simmering until the rice is fully softened and the congee is thick. Note: If using a regular pot, simmer over low heat for about 60-70 minutes.
Once the congee is done, remove and discard the gauze bag (do not eat it). Add rock sugar to taste and stir well. Consume warm, 1-2 times daily.
TCM Notes
Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (Suan Zao Ren) : Sweet and sour in taste, neutral in nature; enters the Heart, Liver, and Gallbladder meridians. Known for nourishing the heart, calming the mind, and stopping sweating. Used for restlessness, insomnia, palpitations, and spontaneous sweating. Polygonatum odoratum (Yu Zhu) : Sweet in taste, slightly cold in nature; enters the Lung and Stomach meridians. Known for nourishing yin, generating fluids, and moistening the lungs. Used for lung-stomach yin deficiency, dry cough, and dry throat. Juncus effusus (Deng Xin Cao) : Sweet and bland in taste, slightly cold in nature; enters the Heart, Lung, and Small Intestine meridians. Known for clearing heart fire and promoting diuresis. Used for irritability, insomnia, night crying in children, mouth ulcers, and painful urination. Glutinous Rice: Sweet in taste, warm in nature; enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Lung meridians. Known for nourishing yin, boosting qi, and harmonizing the stomach. Synergistic Effect: Suan Zao Ren calms the mind; Yu Zhu nourishes yin; Deng Xin Cao clears heart fire; glutinous rice nourishes yin and harmonizes the middle. Together, they achieve the effects of nourishing yin, clearing fire, calming the mind, and relieving irritability. Total approx. 300-400 kcal, primarily carbohydrates – a nourishing medicinal porridge.
Suitable for：Those with irritability, insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, and excessive dreaming Those with five-heart heat and yin deficiency with internal heat Those with recurrent mouth ulcers and canker sores Those with boils and internal heat-toxin Children with night crying and restlessness General population for summer heat relief and daily wellness
Not suitable for：Those with deficiency-cold constitution – Juncus effusus is slightly cold in nature; those with deficiency-cold (cold intolerance, easy fatigue, pale complexion, poor appetite, loose stools) should use with caution Those with cold in the middle with urinary incontinence – avoid Those with qi deficiency with urinary incontinence – avoid Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold or prone to diarrhea – use with caution Pregnant women – consult a doctor before consuming Those allergic to any ingredient – avoid
